Starting from January 2019, all the women employees of FlyMyBiz will have twelve holidays as their period leaves in addition to their other holidays, said its founder-CEO Samya Datta.

"Menstrual patterns differ, so it should be left to the employee," Senior CPI-M leader Brinda Karat said. "The employer should be legally bound to give menstrual leave over and above the leave rights of all employees," she added.

Japan was the first country to allow 'seirikyuuka' (meaning 'physiological leave') in the year 1947, which grants leave to female workers who "suffered heavily" with period pains or performed work deemed "injurious" to their health during menstruation.